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hopefully

adverb

Definition of hopefullynext
as in optimistically
in a positive or optimistic manner They waited hopefully for the doctor to update them on their friend's condition. When the sun appeared, we asked hopefully if everyone remembered to bring sunblock.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hopefully For most communities, the other recommended courses of action involving fines, suspensions, TNR efforts and trapping/relocating the animals will hopefully solve the problem. — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 Julia Stiles is saving the feedback for her next (and hopefully not last) dance. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026 In your next, hopefully a dishwasher or central air conditioning. — Matt Goulet, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026 In the end the answer was so obvious, so on the nose, that hopefully no socially ambitious parents put a deposit down at Marlborough, Oundle, or Wellington. — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopefully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopefully
  1. optimistically
  2. cheerfully
  3. confidently
  4. happily
  5. joyfully
  6. positively
  7. joyously
Adverb
  • The bill’s supporters optimistically stress how Thune has promised there will be a vote in September.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The doc ends optimistically with a brief shot of the Tesla Roadster prototype.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 July 2026
Definition of optimistically
Adverb
  • The school janitor emerged from a gap in the trees, smiling cheerfully.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Photos of him, resplendent in his bright red 4theriders leathers, cheerfully dragging some elbow on the racetrack.
    — Loz Blain September 24, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheerfully
Adverb
  • Once Rae confidently moved into the chorus, her voice soaring and confident, Latifah nodded her head at the preternaturally mature singer’s delivery and punched in as well.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Ida’s stillness is shared by the whole film, which seems more confidently rooted than anything in Pawlikowski’s previous endeavors.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of confidently
Adverb
  • There must be a way to live happily without looking to the future.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Many flavors of rock, pop, R&B, metal, hardcore, jam-band, country, funk, reggae, electronica, rap, jazz, big-band, theatrical, Brazilian, and Latin music happily coexist and cross-pollinate here.
    — Gabe Kirchheimer, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of happily
Adverb
  • My mother, grandmother, aunties and cousins all covered and did so joyfully.
    — Siran Babayan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Experience cinema deeply and joyfully through noteworthy programming, including live music by renowned musicians, and in-depth conversations with world-class artists.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of joyfully
Adverb
  • Authorities, though, had not been able to positively identify him until a missing persons report was made to police earlier this month.
    — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That's also the quarter that positively shifted Jim Cramer's view of the stock following months of disappointment in the enterprise software giant.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of positively
Adverb
  • When Oscar halfheartedly tries to throw a ball into one of the set’s prop cubes and improbably makes the shot, the whole set goes joyously nuts, with the performers leaping up to embrace him and cavort around him.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Newcomer Jorge Mateo delivered the winning run with a liner to left, and the Rays joyously celebrated their third walk-off win.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of joyously

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hopeful
hopefully
hopefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopefully. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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